Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-03-23

feel the proud satisfaction her vain
heart experienced a little while be-
fore. Something of It's beauty had
faded.
''It only knew what that letter
contained !" she said, half an hour
after it bad come in, her mind still
feeling the pressure which had come
upon it SO strangely, as it seemed to
her.
She went to the mantlepiece, took
up the letter, and examined the super
scription. 1t did not enlighten her.
Steadily she became more assured
that it's contents were OF q nature to
trouble her husband.
"He's been g. little mysterious OF
late," she said to herself. This idea
affected her very unpleasantly. "He
grows more silent and reserved" she
added, as thought, under q kind of
feverish excitement. became active IN
a new direction. "More contempla-
tive, as it were, and less interested in
what goes on around him. His cold
ness chiils me at times, and his irrita-
tion pains me-"
She drew a long, deep sigh. Then,
with an almost startling vividness,
came before her mind in contrast, her
tender, loving, cheerful husband of
three years before, and her quiet,
silent, sober-faced husband of to-day.
Something has gone wrong with
him this year." she said aloud. as feel
ing grew stronger. "What can it be q"
The letter was still in her hand. "This
may enlighten me-"
With careful fingers she opened the
envelope, not breaking the paper, so
that she could seal it again If she de-
sired to do so. There was a bill for
fifteen pounds, and q communication
from the person sending the bill. He
was jeweler.
eff this is not settled at once" he
wrote, ''I shall take proceedings. 1t
has been standing for nearly year,
and | am tired of getting excuses in
stead of money
The bill was for lady's watch,
which Mrs. Whitman had almost
compelled her husband to purchase.
"Not paid for Is it possible?" ex-
claimed the little woman, in great
astonishment, while the blood mount
ed to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light
began to come into her mind. AS she
sat thus thinking, a second letter for
her husband came in. She opened it
without hesitation. Another bill
and another dunning letter
''Not paid Is it possible" she re-
peated.
1t was q bill Of four pounds for
boots and slippers, which had been
standing for three or four months.
''This will never do" said the as
tonished wife-"never-no never !"
She thrust the two letters into her
pocket in a resolute way, and from
that hour until the return of her hus-
band she did an unusual amount of
thinking for her little brain. She
saw, tie moment he entered, that the
morning cloud had not passed from
his brow.
"Here is the money for that new
Dress" BIS said, taking it from his
vest pocket and handing it to her as
he came in.
He did not kiss her, nor smile in
the old, bright way. But his voice
was calm, if not cheerful. A kiss
and q smile just then would have
been more precious to. the young wife
than a hundred silk dresses. She
took the money saying: ''Thank you,
dear! It is kind of you to comply
with my wishes"
Something in her voice and manner
caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes
to her face with q look of inquiry
But she turned aside so that he could
not read it's expression.
He YVES graver and more silent than
usual and ate with scarcely an appear
ance of appetite.
'sCome home early, dear, 'said Mrs.
Whitman, as she walked to the door
with her husband.
care you impatient to have me adj
mlre your new silk dress 20 he asked,
with faint effort to smile
eyes. 1t will be something splen-
did," she replied.
He turned Off from her quickly, and
left the house. A few moments she
stood, with q thoughtful countenance,
and her whole manner completely
changed. Then she went to her room
and commenced dressing to go out.
Two hours later and We find her in
the jewelers. shop.
''May speak a word to you?" she
said, addressing the owner, who knew
her very we'll.
Certainly" he replied. and they
moved to the lower end Of one of the
glass cases.
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pock-
ct q lady's watch and chain, and lay
ing them on the glass case said, at the
same time holding out the bill she
had taken from the envelope ad-
dressed to her husband:
81 cannot afford to wear this watch;
my husbands circumstances are too
limited. / tell you SO frankly. Tt
should never have been purchased;
but too indulgent husband yielded
to the opportunities of a foolish
young wife. l say this to take the
blame from him. Now, sir, meet the
case, if you can do so infairness to
yourself. Take back the watch, and
say how much shall pay you beside"
Tho 1oxuo1oy. q 11H+1o 70 1,,l~